THAMESIDE AVIATION
MUSEUM

The Excavation Of A P-51D of
the 353rd Fighter Group

A P-51D Mustang of the 353rd
Fighter Group, 350th Fighter Squadron, had been on an
escorting Bombers on a mission to the German city of
Leipzig, the Pilot of this Mustang was Captain. William.
Tanner.

On their return to England
the Group encountered bad weather conditions.

"According to my
diary, Bill Tanner was leading the 350th Squadron on an
escort mission to Leipzig. On the return, the weather was
bad and he ran into icing, probably a thunderhead. The
plane broke up in a spin, but he bailed out and ended up
in a hospital in Braintree, beaten up with a gash on his
head, but generally okay. The mission was on the In June,
1944."

Lt.
Col. Wayne K Blickenstaff

"The
aircraft involved in this incident was P51D-20-NA,
44-72302, LH-F. My records indicate an acceptance check
on 15/3/1945, so it did not have a very long life with
the group. Crash was recorded at 12.07, 5 miles north of
Chelmsford."